Lady Wreckers Move Up in Defeat
October 30, 2009 by Editor ·
Oct. 30 – Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the Staples High girls swimming team showed many positive signs on Wednesday. Staples dropped to 5-5 with a 106-78 home loss on Senior Day, but the Lady Wreckers are pleased because they won five races and a relay and saw a few of their swimmers move up on their record board.
“We tried to qualify girls for states and move up a few girls on the record board and we were successful in both endeavors,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “I think we did well. It was a fun meet, Senior Day, and Darien is a good team.”
Lady Wrecker senior captain Natalie LeBlanc said, “It was our senior meet and a special meet for everyone. Darien is a tough team but there was a lot of positive energy and we all swam well and were supportive of each other.”
Senior captain Helene Neuhaus has been Staples’ bread and butter lately and Wednesday was no exception. Neuhaus won the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 27.57 and the 100-meter freestyle (1:01.27). Sophomore Gabby Wimer took second in the 50-free (29.2) and senior captain Charlotte Katter was fourth in the 100-free (1:09.96).
LeBlanc won the 100-meter backstroke (1:09.84) and moved into fifth place in school history. Although LeBlanc settled for second in the 200-meter individual medley (2:32.26), she cracked the top 10 board in school history.
“It felt very good,” said LeBlanc. “Being it was Senior Day with all the positive energy and support helped me in my race.”
Wimer won the 100-meter butterfly (1:11.97) and junior Caitlin Wiederecht took fourth (1:21.81). Junior Molly Loftus won the 400-meter freestyle (4:34.71) with the second fastest time in Staples history. Loftus also swam the second fastest time in school history in the 200-meter freestyle (2:11.51) but settled for second in it because Darien was too fast. Placing fourth in the 200-free was junior Margot Bruce (2:22.50).
The Lady Wreckers won the 400-meter freestyle relay with junior Stephanie Nussbaum, senior captain Cat Friel, Loftus and LeBlanc (4:27.57).
Neuhaus, freshman Sarah Cooperman, Wimer and Katter almost broke the school record in the 200-meter medley relay (2:08.4), but they were almost a second short (2:09.2) and settled for second. Darien was too powerful in it (2:07.11). Another case of the competition being too tough for Staples was in the 200-meter freestyle relay, where Neuhaus, Katter, Wimer and Loftus (1:55.44) had a time that would have beaten most teams. Not the Blue Wave (1:55.43), who edged the Lady Wrecker quartet by .01 second.
Cooperman took third in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:23.40) and junior Schaefer Andrews was fourth in diving (180.5). One positive for Staples was that it hung tough and Darien didn’t clinch the meet until the breaststroke, the next to last event in the meet.
“I have confidence in everyone for FCIACs and States,” said LeBlanc. “Everyone is improving and it will be a good couple of meets.”
Reprinted from The Westport News
Video from 2009 Season Online
October 29, 2009 by Editor ·
Video from the 2009 season has been uploaded to the team video site.
Enjoy,
Barry Hyman and Ronald Wimer
Today Is Senior Day
October 28, 2009 by Captains ·
Yes, we know that the e-mail system will send this out after our meet, but we wanted to post a reminder for parents who read this website: today is Senior Day and our last meet of the regular season. We hope to see as many of you as possible at the Staples pool.
Go Wreckers!
Lady Wreckers Tame Ridgefield, 102-84
October 23, 2009 by Editor ·
By Eliot Schickler
Oct. 23 - Throughout the season, Staples girls swimming coach Mike Laux said Wednesday’s home meet with Ridgefield would determine whether the season is a success for his team. Laux felt if his team beat Ridgefield, it would finish with a .500 record.
Staples didn’t disappoint its coach and raised its record to 5-4 with a convincing 102-84 victory over the Tigers.
“I think it was a great meet and good to see everyone come together as a team, both by swimming well and supporting each other,” said Laux. “The girls knew it was a big meet and stepped up to the plate.”
Lady Wreckers senior captain Natalie LeBlanc said, “We had a lot of positive energy form the whole team because we knew it was a big meet. We pushed each other and it drove us to success.”
The swimmers credit Laux for motivating them to raise their performance level.
“I go with what Laux says,” said Staples senior captain Cat Friel. “I think he’s proud of us and he makes us want to work hard. We wanted it for Laux and for ourselves and we’re motivated by him. He says it’s OK if we win or lose and this makes us want to do our best. He makes us more comfortable and I swim better when I’m comfortable than when I’m nervous.”
The Lady Wreckers won 11 out of 12 events and swept two with its only loss coming in the 100-meter butterfly. Senior captain Helene Neuhaus won two events and her first victory came in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 27.62 seconds. Sophomore Gabby Wimer placed third (29.10) in the 50-free.
“It’s a sprint and even if I’m tired, I have to go hard in the 50-free,” said Neuhaus.
Her second victory came in the 100-meter freestyle (1:01.73) and led a sweep in that event. Senior captain Charlotte Katter (1:05.42) and junior Stephanie Nussbaum (1:06.21) took second and third in the 100-free.
“I’ve been training for so long and being close to my best time is an accomplishment,” said Neuhaus. “I was able to work it and it’s about pushing myself to the next level.”
While Neuhaus ruled freestyle sprinting events, junior Molly Loftus dominated in distance freestyle, grabbing her first triumph in the 200-meter freestyle (2:19.44). Friel (2:24.16) and junior Margot Bruce (2:25.34) took second and fourth respectively.
“I just tried to keep up with those girls,” said Loftus. We knew it was important and I tried to pull ahead.”
Loftus’ second win came in the 400-meter freestyle (4:58.65) and led a sweep in it. Bruce (5:03.93) and Friel (5:04.98) were second and third, respectively.
“I just tried to stay ahead,” said Loftus. “We were happy with the 400-free because we swept and we tried to motivate each other because we knew it was going to be a close meet.”
Friel said, “I’ve been cross training for rowing and I’ve been erging and running, which helped with my endurance.”
LeBlanc was the team’s third double-winner, capturing her first victory in the 200-meter individual medley (2:35.13). Freshman Sarah Cooperman was third in the 200-IM (2:40.39).
“I’ve been working on all my strokes lately, which helped,” said LeBlanc.
Her second victory came in the 100-meter backstroke (1:11.32). Freshman Alexis Texeira (1:17.35) and sophomore Nicole Brouillet (1:19.71) were third and fifth respectively.
“It was near the end of the meet and the race was close,” said LeBlanc. “I knew I had to give it everything I had.”
Junior Schaefer Andrews won diving (200.4). Senior Megan Kratsky (161.05) and sophomore Michelle Mastrianni (1.51.53) took third and fourth in diving. Cooperman won the 100-meter breaststroke (1:23.48) and freshman Anita Vohra (1:29.03) took third.
Staples won all three relays. Neuhaus, Cooperman, Loftus and Katter won the 200-meter medley relay (2:25.96) and LeBlanc, Vohra, Wimer and Nussbaum took third (2:16.69). Katter, Wimer, Nussbaum and Friel won the 200-meter freestyle relay (2:01.09) and senior captain Lizzie Rubel, junior Caitlin Wiederecht, senior Camilla Reinhardt and Bruce took third (2:07.56). In the 400-meter freestyle relay, Katter, Neuhaus, LeBlanc and Loftus won it (4:20.94) and Nussbaum Bruce, Friel and Cooperman placed second (4:30.65)
Wimer (1:11) led the Lady Wreckers in the 100-fly, placing second. Wiederecht was fifth in the 100-fly (1:22.26).
“The team worked had was motivated,” said Katter. “We drove each other to want to do better and we all knew we wanted to win this meet. We went out there and did our best and it paid off.”
LeBlanc said,” Everyone was excited about the met and that’s why we swam well.”
Laux is confident that this victory will help Staples in its regular season finale against Darien next Wednesday and ruing the championship season. He said, “This will help them realize how good of a team they are.”
Reprinted from The Westport News
Lady Wrecker Swimmers Find Solace in Defeat
October 21, 2009 by Editor ·
By Eliot Schickler
Oct. 21 – Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the Staples girls swimming team sees many positives from its 110-76 home loss to Greenwich on Friday.
“We were very pleased to score that many points against the best team in the state and we had some great performances,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “We learned where some of our strengths and weaknesses are.”
Greenwich raised its record to 6-6. The Lady Wreckers dropped to 4-4, but took pride in winning six out of 12 events and moving up on the school record book. What killed Staples is Greenwich’s depth as the Cardinals had many second and third place finishes to give them the victory.
“We’re definitely proud of the outcome because we knew it was going to be a tough meet going in, and we did better than expected and showed we’re a strong team,” said Lady Wrecker senior captain Natalie LeBlanc. “We have a lot of potential and the championship season will go well for us. Everyone is getting stronger and faster.”
Senior captain Helene Neuhas had a record-breaking day for Staples, winning the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 59.67 to set a new school record and was victorious in the 50-meter freestyle (27.41) to move into second place in Lady Wrecker history. Neuhaus moved ahead of current Northwestern University swimmer Molly Hennessy (Staples, Class of 2008) in both events.
“I was so excited to win the 100-free and I tried to beat the original time because I’m good friends with the previous record holder, Molly Hennessy,” said Neuhaus. “I was able to win the 50-free because I was so excited to be in the pool [a shoulder injury temporarily kept her out] and I swam fast.”
Neuhaus hopes to break the record in the 50-free.
“The key will be to get up for it and to go all out,” said Neuhaus. “Every .1 and .01 second counts and I’m only .1 away. I have to get up and go.”
Sophomore Gabby Wimer was third in the 50-free (27.41).
Junior Molly Loftus won two events for Staples, winning the 200-meter freestyle (2:17) and 400-meter freestyle (4:38).
“I had a lot of competition, the most I had all year,” said Loftus. “Both opponents were very fast and they were pretty good races. In the 400-free, I tried to keep up with her for the first 300 and pull ahead in the last 100.”
LeBlanc won the 100-meter backstroke (1:12) and took second in the 200-meter individual medley (2:37).
“I knew it was a tough meet and knew [having good] technique was needed,” said LeBlanc on winning the 100-back. “I made sure I swam my race and swam as hard as I could.”
Junior Schaefer Andrews won in diving (212 points) and is now fourth in Lady Wrecker history.
“It’s been a lot of practice and hard work,” said Andrews. “My teammates and coaches help me and it’s been a great season for me.”
Andrews could still move up in the record books and could be the standard bearer before her career ends.
“Ridgefield and Darien are good competition,” said Andrews. “I’m hoping to dive well and I’ll see where it takes me.”
Wimer placed second in the 100-meter butterfly (1:12) and freshman Sarah Cooperman was third in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:26). Staples didn’t win any relays, which also helped Greenwich pull ahead. LeBlanc, Cooperman, Wimer and junior Stephanie Nussbaum led the 200-meter medley relay team to second place (2:14). Despite falling short to the Cardinals, the 200-meter medley relay team (1:57) of Neuhaus, senior captain Cat Friel, Wimer and Loftus were 1.5 second short of setting the school record. Nussbaum, Neuhaus, LeBlanc and Loftus powered the 400-meter freestyle relay team (4:18) to second place.
The Lady Wreckers host Ridgefield today and Darien next Wednesday to close out the regular season.
“Our big meet is against Ridgefield,” said Laux. “If we beat Ridgefield, we’ll have a good season and if we lose to Ridgefield, we’ll have a lot of work to do.”
Reprinted from The Westport News
Lady Wrecker Swimmers Win Two Straight Meets
October 16, 2009 by Editor ·
By Eliot Schickler
Oct. 16 – The Staples girls swimming team moved over the .500 mark with two straight wins this week. Staples raised its record to 4-3 with a 98-81 victory at Fairfield Warde Monday and 94-82 at Danbury Wednesday. The Lady Wreckers won both meets by placing girls in events that they don’t normally race in.
“I think they are swimming great and we’re having good midseason times,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “It’s nice to have meets that we don’t have pressure.”
Lady Wrecker senior captain Natalie LeBlanc won two events each in the last two meets, winning the 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle against Danbury and the 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter breaststroke against Warde.
We’re starting to get into the meat of the season and everyone is showing their potential, which is great for the team,” said LeBlanc.
The backstroke is her main event and she normally excels there. Her improved speed helped her in the 50-free.
“We’ve been working on finishing this season and it helped me get first,” said LeBlanc.
What made her win in the 100-fly glow was that she beat her teammate, junior Molly Loftus, who is a renowned swimmer and last year’s Block S Team MVP recipient. Loftus took second.
“I’ve been working on my technique in the butterfly and I’m hoping to improve in it,” said LeBlanc. “I’m happy with it.”
One breakthrough for Staples was its performance in the breaststroke, which was an area of concern for the team going into the season. In addition to LeBlanc’s triumph Monday, the Lady Wreckers swept the 100-yard breaststroke Wednesday with freshmen Sarah Cooperman, Anita Vorha and Patricia Murraga placing first, second and third, respectively.
Staples also did well in diving with junior Schaefer Andrews, senior diving captain Megan Kratky and sophomore Michelle Mastriani swept against Warde, going 1-2-3. Against Danbury, Andrews and Kratky were 1-2.
Moving into the record books for the Lady Wreckers was senior captain Helene Neuhaus. Neuhaus won the 200-meter individual medley against Warde with a time of 2:30 to move into the top 10 in school history in this event. She also won the 100-meter freestyle.
Loftus captured the 500-yard freestyle against Danbury and the 200-meter freestyle against Warde.
“We had a lot of people cheering in both events and we had a lot of team spirit, which helped me,” said Loftus.
She is rounding into form and is setting her sights on the home stretch with an eye towards the championship meets.
“My goal is to get a best time in the 500-free by the end of the season and for our relays to do well,” said Loftus.
Sophomore Gabby Wimer won the 100-yard butterfly against Danbury and 100-meter freestyle against Warde. Senior captain Charlotte Katter captured the 100-meter backstroke against Warde and was second in the 100-free Monday. Freshman Alex Texeira was behind Katter in taking second in the 100-back and took third in the 200-yard individual medley.
“I knew I had to keep going and I couldn’t give up even when I was tired,” said Katter. “Coach worked with me on the back and it helped. Helene also gave me a lot of tips. I went after it and it paid off.”
Senior captain Cat Friel and junior Margot Bruce were 2-3 in the 400-meter freestyle against Warde. Bruce and Wimer placed behind Loftus in the 500-free at Danbury, going 2-3 to complete a sweep.
Junior Caitlin Wiederecht was second in the 100-fly and third in the 200-IM against Danbury classmate Stephanie Nussbaum was second in the 100-free and third in 200-free in the same meet.
“I think the team is doing awesome and I’m psyched to have a winning record,” said Katter.
Friel said, “It’s really exciting. I think the young girls are getting a confidence boost and when we do well, the team bonds.”
Staples has the unenviable task of hosting top-ranked Greenwich today. The Lady Wreckers will focus on times and qualifying more swimmers for states in what amounts to, their third meet of the week.
“This week is our toughest week because we have three meets and if we swim well in all three meets, this will show the girls what they are capable of doing,” said Friel.
Following Greenwich, Staples hosts Ridgefield Wednesday and Darien Oct. 28 to wrap up the regular season. Next up after Darien for the Lady Wreckers are the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open meets.
“I think finishing 6-4 is a possibility,” said Katter. “We want to finish 6-4 and everyone will work hard to get there. We’re confident of what we can do. We hope our experience helps us at FCIACs and States and we can beat Trumbull [a team Staples lost to Sept. 17].”
Laux said, “I think we’ll be ready. Our goal at FCIACs is to finish in the top half.”
Friel said, “We take it meet by meet and we reassess our strategy after each meet. We hope to put our best product out there. We hope to surprise some teams and Staples usually exceeds expectations [in championship meets].”
Reprinted from The Westport News
Final Friday Meet Tomorrow
October 15, 2009 by Captains ·
Hey girls!
Don’t forget that tomorrow we have a HOME meet against Greenwich – 3:00 warm up and 4:00 start so be at the pool asap after school! Everyone should wear their team sweatpants with a white shirt, and braids or pigtails.
Alsoooo seeing as this is our last Friday meet, we want to go to Bertucci’s as a team after the meet. So if you can make it, bring some money for dinner and we’ll head over as soon as the meet’s finished. If you can’t make it, it’s totally fine, but it’ll be fun!
And of course, get to bed early! See everyone tomorrow!
Thanks,
Your Captains
Danbury Meet and Bus
October 13, 2009 by Coach Laux ·
Bus for Danbury is 3:30 PM
Meet starts at 5:30
Ends about 7 PM
Bring some $ for food on the way home
Coach Laux
Fairfield Meet Tomorrow
October 11, 2009 by Captains ·
Hey girls!
Just a few quick reminders for tomorrow….
AWAY meet against Fairfield Warde – don’t forget your buddy bags!!
We will be dressing up in NINJA ATTIRE!! For anyone new to the team or who doesn’t remember, you wear all black with war paint.
And finally, don’t forget to get to bed early, we have three meets this week!
Thanks!
Your Captain
Warde Meet is at 3:30
October 11, 2009 by Coach Laux ·
The early dismissal tomorrow is at 1:45.The bus is at 2 and the meet starts at 3:30. Pass it on. Coach Laux
